'Largest and most impressive bronze and ivory figure group' is for sale

One of the largest and most impressive groups of bronze and ivory figures to appear at auction in recent years comes under the hammer at the Bonhams 'Design from 1860' sale in London on June 22.

Among the 50 plus works from a private European collector, are several pieces by the Rumanian master Demetre Chiparus from the 1920s and early 30s - his most fertile and sought after period.

They include 'Antinea' a cold painted bronze and ivory figure of an Egyptian dancer of 1930 modelled as a lady in exotic costume and balanced sur pointes, holding her green and gilt decorated cloak above her head, on a shaped variated marble and onyx plinth. It is estimated at between £50,000 - 80,000.

Demetre Chiparus's Antinea depicts an Egyptian dancer of 1930

A'Medieval Group' by the Coburg sculptor, Professor Otto Poertzel, is a rare and Impressive Cold-painted Bronze and Ivory piece from around 1930 showing a maiden riding side-saddle on a large dappled grey dressage horse, gazing down at a romantic young male who is reaching up to assist her, his harp laid by the horse's feet. It has an estimate of £30,000-40,000.

Meanwhile, 'Les Amis de Toujours' shows a lady flanked by a pair of dogs (estimate £40,000-60,000) and 'The Secret' portrays two women in intricate dresses, one with her arm around the other's shoulder, leaning forward whispering into her ear (estimate: £40,000 - 50,000).

'Medieval Group' from 1930 by the sculptor Professor Otto Poertzel

Elsewhere in the sale are six highly unusual stained glass windows made for the famous Belgian chocolate house, Côte d'Or during the influential Exposition universelle in Brussels in 1935 (estimate: £25,000-30,000).